Gold breaks above $3,400 as US Dollar bleeds on Trump-Powell fued

Gold price (XAU/USD) trades at a new all-time high near $3,425 during North American trading hours on Monday. The precious metal strengthens as the US Dollar (USD) bleeds, with the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) independence coming under threat as United States (US) President Donald Trump considers removing Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. 

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, plummets to near 98.00, the lowest level seen in three years. Technically, a weak US Dollar makes Gold a bargain bet for investors. 

US President Trump criticizes Powell for not reducing interest rates even though the prices of some goods, and Oil, have fallen significantly. "The Fed really owes it to the American people to get interest rates down. That’s the only thing he’s good for," Trump said and added, "I am not happy with him. If I want him out of there, he’ll be out real fast, believe me," Trump said on Friday.

Meanwhile, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett has also confirmed that the President and his team are looking for ways to oust Fed Powell. "The President and his team will continue to study that matter," Hassett said on Friday.

During North American trading hours on Monday, Trump condemned Powell again for not adopting a policy-easing approach. "There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW," Trump said through a post on Truth. Social. Trump indicated that inflation is coming down through his comments. "Preemptive cuts in interest rates are being called for by many. With energy costs way down, food prices (including Biden’s egg disaster!) substantially lower, and most other 'things' trending down, there is virtually no inflation," Trump said.

Financial market participants have taken these comments significantly as negative for the US Dollar’s outlook, as it raises questions over the Fed’s independence from political operations, forcing them to further downgrade its safe-haven status. "Political interference in Fed policy making would erode confidence in the USD and may bolster inflation in the longer run," analysts at Scotiabank said.

Lately, ever-changing headlines from Washington on their tariff agenda have forced investors to reassess the US Dollar’s status as a “reserve currency”. Market experts believe that Donald Trump's imposition of worse-than-expected tariffs is painful for the US economy itself. Theoretically, heightening US economic worries improve the safe-haven demand for precious metals, such as Gold.

Daily digest market movers: Gold price gains on US-China trade tensions

• Gold price is on steroids due to escalated trade tensions and weakness in the US Dollar. However, the safe-haven demand for the precious metal could diminish soon as trade talks by the US with its trading partners are progressing. 
• US President Trump has expressed confidence in having a deal with Japan and Mexico after meeting with their representatives last week. "Had a very productive call with the President of Mexico yesterday. Likewise, I met with the highest-level Japanese Trade Representatives. It was a very productive meeting. Every Nation, including China, wants to meet! Today, Italy! US President Donald Trump wrote in a post on the TruthSocial platform on Thursday.
• Over the long weekend, due to Good Friday, Trump said, "There will be a trade deal, 100%," and added, "but it will be a fair deal". His comments came after meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister (PM) Giorgia Meloni, the first European Union (EU) leader to meet Trump after the announcement of reciprocal tariffs.
• Meanwhile, President Trump is also confident about having a deal with China. “We're having nice conversations going with China. It's really very good,” Trump said on Friday. Additionally, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also expressed optimism over a US-China trade deal and said during the weekend, “We're confident it will work out with China.”
• Market participants expect that the closure of trade deals between the US and its trading partners, especially China, will lead to the reversal of reciprocal tariffs announced by Trump. Such a scenario will diminish global economic uncertainty and weigh on the safe-haven demand of precious metals.

Technical Analysis: Gold price extends bull run above $3,400

Gold price jumps above $3,400 on Monday. The precious metal has shown a strong run-up from over a week after an upside breakout of the one-year-old Rising Channel formed on the daily chart. The upward border of the above-mentioned chart pattern is plotted from the April 12, 2024, high of $2,431, while the lower border is placed from the February 15, 2024, low of $1,990.30.

All short-to-long Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) are sloping higher, suggesting a strong uptrend. 

The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) jumps to near 75.00, which indicates a strong bullish momentum, albeit in overbought conditions.

Looking down, the April 11 high of $3,245 will act as a key support zone for the pair. On the upside, the round-level resistance of $3,500 will act as the key resistance zone once Gold stabilizes above the $3,400 level.

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